36. Next the king sent for Shimei. The king said to him, “Build a house for yourself here in Jerusalem. Live in the house, and don’t leave the city.
37. If you leave and go past Kidron Valley, someone will kill you. And it will be your own fault.”
38. So Shimei answered the king, “What you have said is good. I will obey you, my master and king.” So Shimei lived in Jerusalem for a long time.
39. But three years later two of Shimei’s slaves ran away. They went to Achish king of Gath. He was the son of Maacah. Shimei heard that his slaves were in Gath.
40. So he put his saddle on his donkey and left. He went to Achish at Gath to find his slaves. When he found them there, he brought them back to his home.
41. Someone told Solomon that Shimei had gone from Jerusalem to Gath and had returned.
42. So Solomon sent for Shimei. Solomon said, “I made you promise in the name of the Lord not to leave Jerusalem. I warned you that if you went anywhere else you would die. And you agreed to what I said. You said you would obey me.
43. Why did you break your promise to the Lord? Why did you not obey my command?
44. You know the many wrong things you did against my father David. Now the Lord will punish you for those wrongs.
45. But the Lord will bless me. He will make the rule of David safe before the Lord forever.”
46. Then the king ordered Benaiah to kill Shimei, and he did. Now Solomon was in full control of his kingdom.